Speech on the Occasion of Air Force Day with Members of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic Army

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The 19th of Bahman is truly deserving to be named the day of the Air Force of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it is fitting that we extend our congratulations to this force. Memory and decision are fleeting moments; however, their effects and results are lasting. This is why a wise, intelligent, and Muslim person considers it their duty to correctly recognize the value of moments and not make mistakes in the calendar and evaluation of moments.

Every moment of our lives carries a burden of duty. The important thing is that we correctly recognize the duty of each moment and fulfill it in its place. Those days passed in any case; however, the presence of a group of Air Force personnel in the forefront of the Islamic Revolution, even in the most critical moments, had impacts on the fate of the army and the existing orientations in the revolution.

Fortunately, the Air Force, after the victory of the revolution until today, both in the imposed war and before it, in the most critical moments and in the most dangerous situations and positions, has had good tests. The presence of the Air Force in attack and defense has been valuable.

Today, thanks be to God, the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran is mature, thriving, self-reliant, and independent; it possesses advanced high-level tools; it carries the brilliant record of war and its valuable experiences in its backpack and is a young, energetic, and active force, and God willing, it will have a better future.

The Air Force is part of the great defensive power of our nation. When we know ourselves to have a goal and a straight path towards it, when we feel a divine responsibility on our shoulders, when we are determined to move in the path of this responsibility—despite the will of all the devils of the world—when this nation decides not to listen to the coercion of any of the world's armed bullies and highway robbers, then we must prepare ourselves for defense.

When you look at today's world politics, you see that in a case like the Persian Gulf issue, the small and large countries of the world, each in some way, are forced to listen to coercion and comply with it. The domination of the Western empire of wealth and power, led by the American government, intends to defend its vital interests here at any cost. You even saw that they threatened with nuclear bombs, and others—the small and large countries of the world—even though this issue does not concern many of them, are forced to throw a pea into this arrogant stew and cannot withdraw themselves.

In such conditions, when you see that true independence and real self-reliance—stemming from the revolution and Islam—introduces this nation, this country, and this government with a shining forehead in the world, and you appreciate this independence and want to preserve it; when you consider the experience of living freely in the divine and Islamic system a sweet experience and want to advance it towards perfection day by day, then you must prepare yourselves for defense.

You must know that the enemy is waiting for an opportunity to strike. "And whoever sleeps, will not sleep from him." If you become heedless, you will be struck. Defense is a rational, human, and Islamic duty; therefore, one must be prepared. Day by day, you must increase your readiness and advance the training. Systematic organization, based on maintaining complete discipline and observing regulations, is a value to be accounted for. Observing regulations does not mean injustice. Consider justice and non-discrimination and valuing based on truth as a principle. These principles are foundational principles.

One of the things that is important in the work of a military organization is the enthusiasm for better use of talents and powers and material and human resources. Seek out talents and bring them to boil and shine. Utilize skilled hands, penetrating and creative minds, and precise eyes in advancing your work and great responsibility. These are the timely decisions and recognizing the duty of moments.

We are passing through sensitive moments. All these twelve years have passed in this way. Those who did not understand the sensitivity of the moment and the importance of the goal and the value of this path and course made a mistake. Today they understand how much they have erred. The Islamic Republic, by divine grace, does not hesitate in its elevating movement. The nature of our thought, path, and goal is this. Why do some feel inferior? Those who are materialistic should feel inferior. Those who base their lives on purely material calculations should feel inferior; just as you saw the superpowers suffer the consequences of those mistakes.

Today, even the youngest among you has seen the experiences of the elderly before their eyes. Did you not see the collapse of an empire with your own eyes? The great material empire, the so-called socialist government and Marxist thought that had taken half the world, collapsed like a castle of toys. Today, nothing remains of that empire; while in the realm of calculations, they were very strong. The calculations were purely material, and the element of spirituality was not considered in it.

Another experience of yours is the disgraceful defeat of that empire of wealth and power opposite to it; that is, the empire of Western imperialist arrogant thought, relying on capital profit and factory income and the use of cheap labor and propaganda and exploiting moral deviations and spreading the culture of corruption in the world. This is the summary of that other empire. It too will be defeated, and its material calculations will turn out wrong one after another.

Is everything a machine that its calculations can be solved with pure mathematics and two plus two equals four and be completed?! Where the issue is the issue of humans and faiths and values and good qualities, spiritual calculations have an extraordinary influence; rather, they are decisive. Based on material calculations, they should have become more powerful day by day, and today you see that their calculations have failed in what embarrassing scenes.

Keep yourselves ready. Advance your organization day by day. Maintain your cohesion as before and better than before. Look at the entire armed forces—the Army of the Islamic Republic, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and other forces involved in defense and protection and safeguarding the values of the revolution—with one eye and see them as one. Everything in its place, and all as part of a proud collection.

Do not lose the sense of responsibility at any moment. You will advance day by day. Day by day, your honor and value in the eyes of the people and above that in the divine presence will increase, and this is what a person desires and longs for.

May God unite the dear martyrs of the Air Force—many of whom, after difficult experiences, drank the cup of martyrdom in the path of God and some of whom should truly be counted among the heroes of the imposed war era—with the martyrs of early Islam and honor the memory of all our dear martyrs and God willing, may the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and the pure soul of our great Imam be pleased with all of you.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings